Aviation Photography by Philip Stevens available for any assignment. 1000's of images (mostly action). Features on Air shows, Low Level, Air to Air and Base Visits. Bias towards military aircraft and photographic ideas/inspiration. Images for sale as prints or under commercial license.

   

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Axalp week
Swiss Air Force Base, Meiringen - Unterbach
October 2006

Axalp week 2006 and another chance to exploit the fabulous photographic opportunities that are to be found here. The report; "One of the most photogenic airfields in Europe" describes some of the numerous excellent photographic locations that can be found at Meiringen - Unterbach air base. This year I spent time at the western end and was able to shoot at yet another location to get some pretty cool close up shots. 
This year Meiringen's Northrop F-5E Tiger II's of Fliegergeschwader 13, Fliegerstaffel 8 were joined by some McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet's from Fliegerstaffel 11 which have now moved here on a permanent basis from Payerne. The images were taken between on a beautiful sunny day between 08:30 and 17:30, which saw the sun rise and set over the very high surrounding peaks. 

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F-5E (J-3025) deploys it's parachute on landing.
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F/A-18C's (J-5009 and J-5023) emerge from the cavern area to taxi out down the usual eastern taxiway at 08:15 as part of the days first four ship. J-5023 is

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By 09:30 the F/A-18's return, approaching from the western end. Left to right: F/A-18C's (J-5014, J-5023, J-5005 and J-5009).

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F-5E Tiger II (J-3093) in the mid-morning light back lighting the F-5E's as they make their way to the western end for take-off.

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Left to right: F-5E's (J-3025, J-3067 and J-3079). Many of the sorties appeared to be for 1v1 or 2v2 Air Combat Manoeuvring (ACM). The central orange drop tanks and dummy AIM-9P Sidewinder training rounds are carried to distinguish the 'aggressors' when engaged in dog fighting.
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F-5E's returning to the cavern area for lunch, some were using the eastern taxiway, these F-5's were using the western route. Left to right: F-5E's J-3025, J-3079 x2 and J-3015.
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Left to right: F/A-18C's (J-5017 and J-5006) make their way to the runway along the western taxiway from the cavern area.
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Four F-5E's making their way to the runway from the caverns for the first afternoon sortie. Left to right: J-3076 and J-3015.
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Left to right: Runway action, F-5E (J-3076), F/A-18C (J-5005), two-seat F/A-18D (J-5237) and F/A-18C (J-5010).
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Left to right: F/A-18C (J-5023) has just landed and after entering the cavern area from the eastern taxiway continues out on to the western taxiway and stops with a problem. With an emergency declared the fire service was quickly on the scene and the jet is made safe and subsequently towed back to the caverns.
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F-5E (J-3067) comes from the shadows to the evening sun. It is now 16:30 and the shadow has now moved halfway towards the runway. In just over an hour the airfield will be totally in shadow. 50 minutes later the F-5E's return. 
F/A-18C (J-5021) landing in the evening sun. Image 062_7863w5+

F/A-18C Hornet (J-5021) landing in the evening sun at the western end.
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Left to right: F/A-18C's (J-5021 and J-5010) close the flying for the day at 17:30.

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